This person is clearly a male protagonist in a female-oriented novel, yet he is excessively lucid.

Two days later, as agreed, Yu Chenzhou, accompanied by Qin Jin, arrived at the city court on time to attend a mediation meeting organized by the judge.

The person being mediated this time was Qin Yu, the minor who had previously maliciously defamed him online.

The court's mediation room was small, the lighting was somewhat dull, and the air was filled with a serious and oppressive atmosphere.

As soon as Yu Chenzhou sat down in the designated spot, Qin Yu opposite him revealed a disdainful expression, crossed his legs, and wiggled his toes slightly, looking completely fearless.

Qin Yu's parents, standing beside him, seemed somewhat flustered, yet they tried to remain calm, repeatedly saying, "Our child is still young and doesn't understand things, please be understanding," attempting to use his "young age" as a prelude before the mediation even began.

The cause of this mediation was not complicated: Qin Yu openly and maliciously defamed Yu Chenzhou's ink paintings on multiple online platforms, using vulgar language and excessive words.

They even used this as an excuse to denigrate the entire field of classical Eastern calligraphy and painting.

Because before this, he had already belittled the classical Eastern art of opera to the point of being worthless.

These remarks spread widely online, causing considerable negative impact on Yu Chenzhou's personal reputation and also provoking dissatisfaction among many art lovers.

The mediator sat in the center of the table and first briefly introduced the mediation process and purpose, the core of which was to hope that both parties could compromise and resolve the dispute peacefully.

But before he could finish speaking, Qin Yu frowned impatiently and interrupted him:

"I just think those ink paintings are ugly and outdated. They don't fit the current aesthetic at all. Eastern classical art has no practical value to begin with, yet they insist on making it look so elegant, which is annoying to look at."

Besides, I'm a minor. Even if I said something outrageous, the law would be lenient, so why would I have to bear much responsibility?

Why is he, an adult, so serious, even taking it to court?

As soon as he finished speaking, he deliberately looked up at Yu Chenzhou and rolled his eyes contemptuously.

His arrogant attitude, taking advantage of being a minor, instantly tensed up the previously relaxed atmosphere in the mediation room, making the air seem to freeze.

Yu Chenzhou was not angered by Qin Yu's attitude. He simply tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, making a soft "tap-tap" sound, breaking the silence in the room.

His gaze was calm yet carried an undeniable firmness as he slowly began his rebuttal:

"First of all, what you call 'ugly and outdated' is nothing more than your ignorance and prejudice against classical Eastern art."

Ink painting has been passed down for over a thousand years, carrying a profound cultural heritage. The brushstrokes and ink contain the unique aesthetic taste and spiritual core of the Chinese people.

Each work embodies the creator's hard work and insights; it is an irreplaceable artistic treasure, and by no means the "worthless" thing you speak of.

Secondly, classical Eastern art is an important part of Chinese culture and a spiritual treasure passed down by countless ancestors with their wisdom and hard work.

Your wanton slander has not only damaged my personal creative enthusiasm, but also disregarded the weight of cultural heritage and hurt all those who love traditional culture.

At this point, Yu Chenzhou paused, slowly turning his gaze to look at the mediator and Qin Yu's parents in turn, and continued:

"I must emphasize that being a minor is absolutely not a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' for wantonly harming others or defaming culture."

The reason why the law provides special protection for minors is to guide them in establishing correct values ​​and growing up healthily, rather than to condone their wrongdoings.

Therefore, my demands have never been about determining the extent of responsibility or seeking compensation, but rather that he truly recognize his mistakes.

He should publicly apologize to me and to the classical Eastern art he has slandered, to uphold the dignity of culture and to make amends for the damage caused to my personal reputation.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's parents immediately moved forward, their faces plastered with ingratiating smiles, and hurriedly replied:

"Mr. Yu, please don't take it to heart by the child's fault. He already knows he was wrong. We'll bring him to apologize to you privately, okay?"

A public apology isn't necessary. The child is still young; it would be bad for him if word got out, and he wouldn't be able to hold his head up at school afterwards.

But Qin Yu was completely unmoved, stubbornly sticking out his tongue:

"I didn't say anything wrong, those things were never good-looking to begin with, and I'm not apologizing!"

Seeing this, the mediator sighed softly and turned to Yu Chenzhou again, attempting a final attempt to persuade him:

"Mr. Yu, you see, the child is indeed still young and not mature enough. Why don't we discuss it again?"

For example, if he apologizes to you privately and deletes all inappropriate remarks on the spot, would you withdraw the lawsuit?

This approach is beneficial for both parties and gives the child a chance to reform.

Yu Chenzhou gently shook his head, his tone remaining resolute, showing no sign of wavering:

"I'm sorry, but if he continues with this attitude, I cannot withdraw the lawsuit."

If we allow this behavior of defaming culture and harming others to go uncorrected simply because he is a minor, it would not only be disrespectful to my personal creative work, but also a disregard for the entire cultural heritage.

I insist that he issue a public apology and take due responsibility for his remarks.

This isn't me being overly serious; it's about upholding my bottom line.

Neither the bottom line for art nor the bottom line for right and wrong can be easily compromised.

After he finished speaking, the mediation room fell into complete silence.

Qin Yu's arrogant demeanor was completely suppressed by Yu Chenzhou's firm rebuttal. He lowered his head slightly and no longer dared to look Yu Chenzhou in the eye.

Qin Yu's parents were speechless for a moment. They opened their mouths but didn't know what to say in rebuttal. They could only look at their child with anxious expressions.

Seeing this, the mediator knew the stalemate couldn't continue. He first focused his gaze on Qin Yu, then slowly swept it over the anxious parents beside him, and explained, in a calm yet authoritative tone, word by word:

"Qin Yu, I must make this clear to you: being a minor is never a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' for breaking the law or infringing on rights."

The reason why the law provides special protection for minors is to guide you onto the right path and help you grow up healthily, not to allow you to use this identity as a shield to wantonly harm the legitimate rights and interests of others.

Your malicious defamation of others' creative achievements and classical Eastern art online has clearly infringed upon Mr. Yu's right to reputation. This constitutes a typical civil tort and will have legal consequences.

He paused, watching Qin Yu's expression gradually stiffen, and continued seriously:

"Even if you are still a minor, once the formal litigation process begins, the court will determine that you bear corresponding civil liability in accordance with the law, such as making a public apology and eliminating the negative impact. These are things you cannot avoid."

Furthermore, according to relevant Chinese laws, your parents, as your legal guardians, failed to fulfill their due guardianship and educational responsibilities and are therefore jointly and severally liable for your tortious acts.

This will not only bring a considerable financial burden to your family, but the related legal records will also have a negative impact on your family, which may affect your future education, employment, and many other aspects.

Remember, the internet is never a lawless zone. All speech is subject to the law. Respecting others and having reverence for the law are fundamental principles that everyone, regardless of age, must adhere to.

Upon hearing the words "bear civil liability," "affect family," and "affect further education and employment," Qin Yu's disdain instantly froze.

The legs that had been swaying slightly suddenly stopped, and her eyes were filled with panic and fear, all traces of her previous recklessness gone.

He subconsciously clenched the hem of his shirt, his fingers trembling slightly. He hesitated for several seconds before raising his head, his voice tinged with obvious fear, yet he forced a smile, still carrying a hint of nonchalant matter-of-fact.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn't have slandered your painting or said bad things about classical Eastern art. Can you please drop the lawsuit? I will never dare to say such things again."

Yu Chenzhou looked up at him, his gaze still calm and unwavering, yet subtly revealing a hint of coldness, and slowly spoke:

"To be honest, I didn't see a shred of sincerity in your apology."

The reason you're willing to apologize now isn't because you truly know you were wrong or how excessive your behavior was, but because you're afraid—afraid of the legal consequences and the impact on your future.

This forced apology is meaningless.

Yu Chenzhou's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, like ice beads falling on a stone slab, carrying a penetrating force:

"Respecting the creative achievements of others and respecting the traditional culture that has been passed down for thousands of years is the most basic principle of being a person."

Since your parents didn't teach you what respect is, or what boundaries are, then let the law teach you.

Qin Yu's face flushed red and then turned pale as Yu Chenzhou spoke. His fingers twisted the hem of his clothes tightly, and he lowered his head even further.

Upon seeing this, his parents' faces instantly darkened, and their previous awkwardness and ingratiation vanished without a trace.

Qin Yu's father abruptly stood up from his chair, his chest heaving, and shouted sharply at Yu Chenzhou:

"Mr. Yu, you've gone too far!"

My son is only 17 years old, he's still a child!

It's just a few words said casually online.

There was no real harm caused. Why are you, an adult, so fixated on a child and insisting on taking it to court?

If word gets out, people will just say you're petty, arguing with a teenager, and have no magnanimity at all! Can't you be more generous and give the child a chance to change his ways?

Qin Yu's father's words were full of moral blackmail, attempting to force Yu Chenzhou to compromise and give up his reasonable demands by using the traditional argument that "adults should be tolerant of children".

Upon hearing these words, a cold glint flashed in Yu Chenzhou's eyes, and he slowly stood up from his chair.

He was tall and straight, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at Qin Yu's parents, his tone calm yet carrying a penetrating force:

"At 17, he may still be considered a minor under the law, but that is absolutely not a shield for him to wantonly harm others and slander culture, much less an excuse for you to morally blackmail me!"

At this point, Yu Chenzhou's voice suddenly rose several decibels, each word resounding and making one's eardrums vibrate:

"I admit that he is young and not mature enough, but can the words 'still a child' cover up the fact that he maliciously slandered the creative achievements of others?"

Can that offset the damage he caused by trampling on traditional culture and hurting the feelings of countless culture lovers?

Does that allow him to evade the responsibilities he should bear?

No! Absolutely not!

"His posting of those vile comments online was not unintentional, but a deliberate act of infringement."

Your current defense isn't genuine protection of your child; it's an act of dereliction of duty—indulging the child's mistakes and shirking responsibility!

Yu Chenzhou's eyes were filled with an undeniable firmness, and his tone was tinged with deep disappointment.

Instead of reflecting on yourselves as parents, you failed to teach him what respect and boundaries are, and instead blame me for "being petty with the child."

Just because I am an adult, should I swallow my anger and allow others to infringe upon my rights and wantonly slander our millennia-old culture?

This is not magnanimity, but rather condoning wrongdoing and disregarding fairness and justice!

"What I'm pursuing is never his age, but the error of his behavior itself;"

What I uphold is not so-called "nitpicking," but rather reverence for culture and a bottom line regarding right and wrong!

Yu Chenzhou paused, his gaze fixed on Qin Yu's parents, and once again struck at their weak points:

"Today I choose to compromise and back down because 'he is a child,' but tomorrow will he think that no matter what mistakes he makes, he can use 'being young' as an excuse to shirk responsibility?"

What you call "giving children a chance to correct their mistakes" is nothing more than condoning them to evade responsibility and continue making mistakes.

"Therefore, I will never accept this kind of moral blackmail, and I will never back down!"

Yu Chenzhou's words were resolute and left no room for negotiation.

"Parents are a child's first teachers; you should understand the principle of 'what the parents do, the children follow.'"

As parents, you have not only failed to set a good example for your child, but you have also failed to fulfill your most basic guardianship responsibilities.

As far as I know, your son has been making these kinds of malicious remarks online for quite some time now, but you have not only failed to stop or educate him in time, but you haven't even bothered to ask about it.

Now that something has happened, your first thought is not how to make amends and correct the child's mistakes, but instead you try to evade responsibility and force me to compromise through moral blackmail.

In my opinion, there is no need to continue this mediation; let the law determine responsibility fairly.

Since you parents don't know how to teach your child to be a good person, and don't know how to make him understand what respect and responsibility are, then let the law teach him!

At least the law will clearly tell him right from wrong and make him bear the consequences he deserves. But if he is indulged now, society will only whip and punish him in a more cruel way in the future.

After saying this, Yu Chenzhou stopped looking at the Qin family's ugly expressions, turned to Qin Jin beside him, and gestured to him with his eyes—the mediation is over, and the subsequent legal proceedings can proceed directly.

Upon seeing this, Qin Jin immediately understood and took the initiative to speak, clearly explaining to the mediator and the other party's parents that he would terminate the mediation and resolve the dispute through litigation.

The mediator listened quietly to all the statements from both sides and had already formed a clear judgment in his mind.

He knew very well that Yu Chenzhou had made his demands reasonable from the beginning and had given Qin Yu a chance to admit his mistakes and apologize, which was already more than enough.

Now that Qin Yu's family is being ungrateful, refusing to admit their mistakes and apologize, and even attempting to use moral blackmail, it's no wonder that Yu Chenzhou insists on pursuing legal action.

After all, he knew in his heart that Qin Yu was the only one among all the defendants in this class-action lawsuit who was explicitly given the opportunity for mediation. If they missed this opportunity, what awaited Qin Yu's family would only be an even more unfavorable outcome.